Page 12 - AK Book 1

Story 1

Australia: The Travel Bug Bites

“Adventures are the joy of life. They take us to new places, uncover great
mysteries, and teach us valuable lessons.”

It was a gray rainy day in Melbourne, Australia, and best friends Craig
and Claudia couldn’t play outside. Feeling bored, they explored Claudia’s old
Victorian home and discovered an odd staircase in a corner. They went up the

steps and pushed open a creaky door into a dark attic.
Craig, a brave boy of seven, stepped into the dusty room.

“Come on,” he said to Claudia. “Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid!” said six-year-old Claudia. She

walked in and saw: a blue crocodile-shaped rug, a red
sofa ?lled with old stuffed animals, and a travel trunk full
of dusty books.

Claudia touched the stuffed animals as Craig dug

through the books. “Ahh!” he yelled out in surprise. “A
book jumped out of the trunk!”

Claudia rushed over to see.
In the middle of the book’s old, cracked cover was a
purple jewel shaped like a bug.
Claudia reached out to touch the shiny bug jewel.
Amazingly, it came to life and jumped onto Claudia’s
?nger!

“Ouch!” Claudia shouted. “It bit me!” The bug hopped
to the ?oor and scurried by Craig. “Ow!” he yelled. “It just
bit my ankle!”

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